Ben Tate

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers roared through a perfect December with the kind of urgency that stoked memories of Super Bowls past. They won their first division title in four years, looking like a team peaking at the right time. The valley came quickly. The team that stumbled to a 30-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night in the AFC wild-card game looked more like the enigmatic work in progress of September. The offensive line struggled to block Baltimore's relentless and resurgent front seven. The NFL's second-ranked offense produced three field goals and a touchdown and didn't lead over the final 44 minutes while turning over the ball three...

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PITTSBURGH — Joe Flacco and the NFL's playoff road warriors are heading to New England with their swagger — and their pass rush — fully intact.
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What's typically a slugfest might wind up a shootout.
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This is for my players who are out of the game. I mean my fantasy football players who are suddenly finished with their favorite pastime after not qualifying for their league's playoffs.
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Ben Tate wasn't out of a job for long
The Minnesota Vikings claimed the running back off waivers Wednesday, one day after he was let go by the Cleveland Browns, and waived tight end MarQueis Gray.
The move also came one day after the NFL suspended...

Three NFL teams took swift action against disgruntled players Tuesday.--LeGarrette Blount was miffed at not getting a single carry in Pittsburgh's game Monday, and the Steelers made sure he would not suffer that disappointment again as they cut the...

Injuries and opportunity. It's why you shouldn't beat yourself up after a bad draft or gloat too much after a fast start. With a big hit or a benching, power can change hands quickly in the fantasy football world, even this late in the season.
Injuries...

Adrian Peterson likely cashed his final payment from the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 15, a $1,406,250 deposit that serves as the unspectacular send-off for one of the franchise's greatest players.
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If your team is like mine most seasons, at least one of your running backs on your online roster probably has one of those little red "injury" boxes or check marks next to their name. Whether it's severe or mild injury, banged-up backs are...

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Cleveland (6-3)...

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Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec breaks down the Ravens' playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday at Heinz Field.
PASSING GAME
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Le'Veon Bell led the AFC in yards from scrimmage and rushing yards this season, but the Pro Bowl running back won't be able to help the Pittsburgh Steelers in their wild-card game Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have ruled out Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell for Saturday night's AFC wild-card playoff game against the Ravens, the team announced.
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Indianapolis Colts
Why they would sign him: Along with the Arizona Cardinals, the Colts unsuccessfully tried to claim running back Ben Tate off waivers; he was awarded to the Minnesota Vikings after being cut by the Cleveland Browns. The Colts lost...

Sam Farmer, The Times’ NFL writer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Glantz-Culver (O/U=over/under). Last week’s record 11-4 (.735); season 113-62-1 (.646). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the...

Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has 15 career sacks against the Cleveland Browns, his highest total against any NFL team.
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